Automotive Electronic Ignitions on Lycomings?

[Radioflyer]

About a year ago there was mention of using an automobile electronic ignition system from Electromotive Inc. in canards. I believe it was an HPV-1 model, and a bunch of southern CA flyers worked it out.

The prices of these automotive units are far less than the Lightspeed and Electroair/Rose systems. The capabilities seem the same and direct crank sensors are available. Granted these auto units are not as turnkey as the aviation units, but, for discussion purposes...why not use these on our planes?

[Dave in Eugene]

http://www.directignition.com/pdf_files/hpv1.pdf

[Radioflyer]

Right, that's the unit. Why isn't everyone using these or silmilar? Any actual field experience using automotive EI in aircraft?

[easyrider]

I did some research on the Electromotive EI system and the cost of a 4 cylinder unit for a Volkswagon comes to $970.
The system is almost identical to the Electroair system, the coil packs look the same. The installation handbook is almost identical to the Electroair.
I just paid $1100 for an Electroair and it comes with a MAP unit and a Mag Hole sensor unit so you would not save much if any on Elecromotive.
Easyrider
LongEZ 93

[Radioflyer]

I was gradually coming to the same conclusion. The price difference after  buying all the parts a' la carte is not significant enough considering the convenience of the experimental aviation units.  Were you convinced that the long duration spark is significantly better than a standard CDI spark?

[easyrider]

It sounds convincing to me. I have a friend that has had constant trouble with his CDI system. A longer duration spark will give better burning. I ran an Electroair, the original Jeff Rose version and it ran fine.
I didn't want to go all Electronic and I was due a Mag. change so I bought a P-Mag. 3 P-mags later I went back to 2 Slicks. I am now in the process of fitting a new Electroair. Now I know why we are called Experimental Aircraft Fliers.
Easyrider
LonEZ 93